If you have not heard of Florence and the Machine yet you are missing out. Singer Florence Welch is a 22-year-old beautiful red haired, pale skin Brit. She has one album out that debut in 2009 called Lungs that is taking America by storm.

Her voice sounds similar to Adele, however she blows her out of the water with her voice. This is truly one of the best voices I have heard in a while. Her voice entices all that listen not only because of the volume she can reach, but because of the sound.  She has a breathtaking smooth, bluesy, and just an absolutely astonishing voice.

Her songs have already debut through movie soundtracks. Eat Pray Love featuring Julia

Roberts debut “The Dog Days Are Over”, which is one of my favorites, in their preview for the movie. Another one of her songs “Heavy in Your Arms “ debut in the movie Twilight.

Personally I think that Florence and the Machine will grow even bigger. Especially with their Grammy nomination for Best New Artist. FATM has something going for her, something that is hard to come by these days, talent. The lack of auto-tune in her music is not missed. The pureness that is heard is beyond doubt remarkable for someone so young.

To hear some of her music click on these links with the titles to her songs:

• I’m Not Calling You A Liar

•  You Got the Love

•  Drumming Song 

• Howl

•  Addicted to Love
• Halo (beyonce cover)

The world is obsessed with many things within many different forms of media today. What makes these things so captivating? What is so endearing about children that makes many others like myself search hilarious baby or toddler videos on YouTube.

Babies or Toddlers on YouTube

• The majority of my favorite videos on YouTube are videos of children doing hilarious things. Some of my favorites: David After Dentist, AFV macarena-last time, I’m Yours (ukulele), Calming the Baby Beast, Baby Bob Marley, Evian Roller Babies, When U Ask Her about Monsters, Charlie bit my finger, funny baby “blood”,  and Single Ladies ft. Arianna! What makes these videos so entertaining that they have me searching for more. 1. each kid in each of these videos is showing their candid side. None of them are acting like the camera is there. No one looks for videos to see something that they can see done in the theater. They are looking for the real, the absolutely insane things that people can do. No one wants scripted unless you’re doing a music video or a copying a scene from a movie. 2. These kids all have confidence, if you’re putting a video out there for the world to see you want whomever is in the video to be exuding that confidence that is needed for.

this is one of my most recent favorite videos,

All of these songs I listened to growing up. My father LOVES Christmas so very, very much. He owns about every Christmas CD and we still listen to all of the same ones every Christmas on the same stereo from when we were little. The day after Thanksgiving this year, my dad at 8 am in the morning was blasting Christmas music to wake my family and I up. These songs along with the artist that sings them are what gets me in the mood for my holidays!

1. Louis Armstrong- Is Zat You Santa Claus

This clever tune I always remember my Dad singing to me when I was little in his Louis Armstrong voice. This song holds a very special place in my heart. I remember hearing it when I was little and loving the image of Santa he sang about in this song.

2. Mariah Carey- All I Want For Christmas Is You

I remember finding this album when I was younger and putting it in before Thanksgiving to learn all the words so I could sing it all during Christmas. All I Want For Christmas Is You is the song I would play on repeat and dance around and sing in my room. I can not help but love this song as I want to dance and sing around wherever I am at when I hear it.

3. Faith Hill- Where Are You Christmas?

This song always hit me hard every holiday because it helped remind me that Christmas is not about what you receive but about what you give. This was also a song I learned before Thanksgiving ever happened so I could belt it and sing it all Christmas long!

4. Alvin & The Chipmunks- Christmas Don’t Be Late

I LOVED the Alvin & The Chipmunks Christmas CD when I was little. This is all my brother and I would want to sing when we were little. I personally loved this song because of Alvin. This whole CD was great a close second to this song and my brothers favorite song from this album The Little Drummer Boy. It was difficult to truly choose only one song from this album because it was a perfect mix for children and adults by adding in many famous artists at the time like Alan Jackson, Kenny G, Celine Dion, and Patty Loveless. Then having the chipmunks singing and even adding in dialogue for kids to quote all Christmas.

5. Charlie Brown Christmas- Christmas Time is Here

When you think Christmas, Thanksgiving, Halloween, or Valentines Day you remember that Peanuts is playing their annual movie on at least one channel during that holiday. So it goes without saying that this song is a given to be on this list of songs to get you in the holiday spirit.

6. Frank Sinatra- Jingle Bells

This version took a while to find. It took of course calling my dad to figure out which exact Frank album it came from. Truly any Frank Sinatra holiday song gets me in the holiday spirit but this one is one of my favorites. His voice has that soothing sound but you can hear his engaging smile through each song. Frank has a way to even make a classic song like this be even more timeless with his twist.

7. The Eagles- Please Come Home for Christmas

This song helps those that are going through that hard time at Christmas not having that significant other there. Although I personally have never had a significant other gone during Christmas this does help remind me that there are those out there that are alone and to give and reach out during this time of year.

8. Celine Dion feat. Andrea Bocelli- The Prayer

The Prayer is such a enchanting song. Celine and Andrea’s voice mix so harmoniously you can hear the passion in their voices throughout. I believe when you can hear passion like this song through a recording it makes for an absolutely enjoyable Christmas song.

9. Eartha Kitt- Santa Baby

The original Santa Baby is done so well, not many can compare or even make me as joyful as this song makes me during the holidays. One of the few sultry Christmas songs that are actually made well. Santa Baby  will never get old to hear for me. This song is one of the first I think of when I think Christmas music.

10. Nat King Cole- Christmas Song

Nat King Cole, much like to me Frank Sinatra, or Louis Armstrong, I got to have my classic singers in my line up because without them it just would not be doing. This last song is another of my dad’s doing. Hearing this song ever since I was little makes listening to it now remind me of home. Where everyone wants to be for the holidays. Surrounded by love and family.

• Shower Caps these shower caps are very effective, I have A LOT of hair and ever single piece fits in here with room still left inside. They also have different animals to pick from for everyone on your list!

• Nail Polish, do not get cheap ones good companies to buy from are Essie, or OPI. These are both good long lasting nail polishes that are nice and show you care.

• Lotion, hand sanitizers, body wash, or great tweezers, all can be found at Sephora or Ulta.

• Some other good gifts are key chains, magnets, umbrella, slippers, coffee traveler mugs, coffee cups, or candles.

No matter how long you’ve been dating or “talking” girls want a gift! But what to get her? Don’t Stress I have the answers! Chase my holiday gift advice! ;)

Jewlery is a given but from where?

• For someone you have been dating for a really long time, she will love the little blue box. Whether it be that you are proposing or just want to get her some very nice jewelry Tiffany&Co is a really good place to go. However if this woman truly loves jewelry and you have only been dating for a little while, they do have affordable jewelry that does not come out saying you are giving too much even for someone so special.

• For someone you have been dating for a while and really like/love. James Avery is a really great place for nice jewelry and a good selection.
• For something really unique and special try Jeanine Payer. Not a well known company but very beautiful jewelry. All of her jewelry have quotes written on them but also are greatly crafted to be great additions to any woman’s jewelry collection.

For funny or goofy gifts here is some great places to shop

• Urban Outfitters always has great gifts in their apartment sections of their website. You can find great books, cameras, toys, shower caps, ornaments, even roller skates.

• Some other places like Urban are Uncommongoods, Fred Flare, Mod Cloth, or The Spoon Sisters.

Something personal is the ultimate gift:

• Personalized M&M’s is cheesy but could be cute. 
• Snapfish has some great gifts you can personalize with photos. Calenders, coffee cups, blankets, mouse pads, and photo books. They have so many more things to personalize and it is very simple to use!
• Some other personal things you can make her are writing her a love letter, a mix CD, bring her on a picnic, or get her a picture of you and her in a frame.
• If you are artistic you can get a white pillow case and decorate it with fabric markers. Get a flower pot and paint it so she can use it as a pen holder, draw her a picture writing in all the reasons why you love/like her and laminate it. Basically anything you can make that is crafty is a terrific personal gift.

Gift cards is not something i recommend UNLESS it is to a really nice spa. I recommend a boutique spa. What to get the gift card for, enough to get a facial, massage, manicure, and pedicure. Any woman would appreciate that nice time to herself, or even get it for the both of you so she can spend time with you. 

Overall look at the little things she likes, get her one big gift and a couple of cute goofy gifts. Think about if she really needs it/will use it before you buy anything. Anything from your heart she will appreciate.

Beautiful Thursday night in Austin, Texas as I headed to The Parish for some live music by Zeale and Awolnation. My sister’s friend who was the bassist in the band Awolnation informed my sister about the show and I was put on the list to get in. I had actually never heard of Zeale or Awolnation, but after previewing them on MySpace before the show I was very impressed and even more excited to get to the show!

Zeale Myspace

Awolnation Myspace

First up was Zeale who is a locally known Hip-Hop/Rap artist that is extremely talented!

Zeale more than once freestyled by getting a few words from the crowd to work with. His music had the whole crowd movin and groovin along to his great beats. He definitely seemed like someone who knew how to work the crowd. He had people hop up on the stage to dance. I believe his knowledge of the environment of Austin and the people really helped him get the crowd ready for Awolnation. He is someone after this show I will be following and also adding him to my I-Pod with his own special playlist!

Then came Awolnation a band with many styles. Some that I identified were alternative, funk, hip-hop, and punk. May sound like a weird mix of music however it mixed very very well with this band. The sound of his voice worked with the drums and the guitars.

Three songs into the set the Bass Drum broke so they had to take a little intermission where Zeale came back on and did the most impressive 10 minute freestyle i’ve ever heard. After the show the bassist Dave told me they had to run across the street to another bar to borrow their bass drum because they did not bring a back up something Dave said, “would never happen again! now we always know to have a backup.” 

This show overall was one of my personal top 5 favorite concerts. They really kept the crowd going even when they had a huge setback of a broken instrument in the middle of their set. They played a set fueled with energy that engulfed the audience into their performance.

Well we all know when Christmas time rolls around, so does one of my favorite things to kick of the holiday, The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show! This is actually the first time I was able to watch it live. I remember when they had to have it late because some deemed it inappropriate to be shown earlier than 10. This year it was on at 9 on CBS. They began with Adriana Lima, whom is the reason that many men tune into this show.

She came out incredibly strong, I personally have NEVER seen anyone “rock” or “work” the runway like I saw her work it. She started the show out perfectly! She truly owned that runway in unbelievable shape for giving birth to her baby girl only 12 months ago. It was said that the bra in this photo is a 2 million dollar bra.

The first half of the show filled with many well known “Angels” and also extraordinary and breathtaking outfits.

Akon and Katy Perry both sang at this event

Akon danced with the girls down the aisle, making them interact with him as he moved.

Katy Perry sang without any models parading down the runway. With adorable shoes, she belted out her newest single “Firework”.

Katy also sang at the end when the models took their last walk.

Some of my favorite outfits of the night…

these are my favorite wings of the night!

Chanel one of the youngest angels just got her first pair of “wings” this year!

literally a knockout!

Overall this Fashion Show was no doubt one of the best I have ever seen. One of my favorite things was whatever camera was taking the shots when the girls were dead center in front of the runway. From a photography perspective they were incredible. From the set, to the models, to the outfits, to the music, to the venue, this fashion show will be hard to top.

To watch the whole show go here! 

Spanx the wonder underwear for women to hide imperfections. A-lister Sandra Bullock has said she wears them but what about A-lister men?

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